The Water Magician

"I've never seen Ryo look so exhausted before."

"I'm not tired at all! I just used a surprising amount of stamina from riding at a speed I'm not used to! I could easily handle twenty hours of continuous combat right now!"

"Well... then why are you putting on a brave front? Normally, even in perfect condition, it's impossible to sustain twenty hours of combat."

Ryo was being overly confident, and Abel was bewildered.

The two were at Boago Central Port.

Due to the daimyo's death, Vice Daimyo Fu Ten came directly to this central port before entering the daimyo's office.

Fu Ten had been listening to various people tell their stories.

"Oh, I just had a good idea."

When Ryo suddenly said this, Abel looked at him with a dubious expression.

In situations like this, he knew it usually meant something ridiculous would follow.

Yes, he knew from experience.

But...

"If we're going to travel to the imperial capital by land, let's go by horse."

"Horse?"

"Yes, let's buy two horses and ride them. Once we reach the imperial capital, we can sell them. It will also be good practice for riding along the way."

Ryo occasionally made decent proposals.

"That's a surprisingly good suggestion for you."

Abel's honest opinion came out too bluntly.

"What do you mean by 'for you'? I only make good suggestions!"

"Yeah, don’t tell obvious lies."

The two could also overhear the conversation of Vice Daimyo Fu Ten and others.

"To summarize, as soon as the princess's fleet set sail, the alchemy tools on the platform exploded. The timing coincided with when the princess would normally be on the platform, but she had left early in the morning, so she wasn't there. Instead, the daimyo, who saw the ships off from the platform, got caught up in it."

"Yes, that's correct."

The guard answered Fu Ten's confirmation.

Apparently, he was responsible for the investigation.

"Are the alchemy tools really that dangerous that they could kill someone if they exploded?"

Abel asked Ryo in a very quiet voice.

"I was told by Kenneth when I was learning that when inscribing magic circles or magic formulas on alchemy tools, it is absolutely necessary to incorporate circuits to prevent explosions. By the way, the level of magic circles sold in stores is said to always have those circuits included."

"So normally, they shouldn't explode."

"That's right. Unless it's a severely defective tool. But if it’s something meant to be used on such a grand stage, it should be a proper tool..."

"Could it be sabotage?"

From Ryo's explanation, Abel came to a conclusion.

"It’s highly likely that this was sabotage aimed at the princess."

Fu Ten muttered.

It seemed Fu Ten had also reached the same conclusion after talking with the guard.

"Continue the investigation."

With that, Fu Ten approached the two.

"Sorry to keep you waiting. Let's head to the daimyo's office."

The Boago daimyo's office was in disarray.

However, when Vice Daimyo Fu Ten appeared, things quickly began to settle down.

Fu Ten began issuing commands rapidly.

From an outsider's perspective, they seemed extremely precise.

"Wow, the Vice Daimyo is impressive."

"Yeah. He grasped the chaotic situation and quickly brought it under control. The instructions he gives are accurate... but why is he just the vice daimyo?"

"Ah, did you think the same thing, Abel?"

Ryo agreed with Abel’s question.

Fu Ten's movements and demeanor resembled someone used to leading an organization.

If it were the daimyo, it would still make sense.

But it was completely incomprehensible that such an exceptional person was just the vice daimyo.

"It's a waste to have such a talented person as the vice daimyo."

"That's true, but it's not something we can change. Besides, now that the daimyo has passed away, he is the top in this city."

"Could it be... that the assassination of the princess was a facade to cover the true goal of the daimyo's murder! And that the city's volunteers orchestrated this to place Fu Ten at the top...?"

"No, that's unlikely."

Ryo's bold and imaginative scenario was dismissed by Abel.

Fu Ten called the two over, waving them in.